Nude Camping!! It is getting into cooler weather and for those outdoor enthusiasts, there's nothing better than enjoying a crisp breeze on your nether regions, sitting beside a roaring fire.
Okay, so nude outings to the pool, the beach, things like that make a lot of sense. But camping? There are mosquitos in the woods, and critters and hunters!! How in the world do I combat all that?
Well, let me tell you what my experiences have been like, how I plan my nude camping outings and how to combat those pesky things. Let me lay this out in a simple check list sort of way.
1. It is always important to do some scouting. Look for places where you can get away with camping nude without issue. For me, that's involved a good bit of driving around in the forest areas, looking at what is accessible, how remote or well traveled an area may be. Once you've found a couple spots that look promising, go different times of the day, different days of the week, times of the year. This is always a great way to scope out the who, what when and where issues.
2. Knowing what time of year you are wanting to go and camp will obviously determine what you might need to pack. I'm pretty sure most of us know sleeping bags have ratings for how warm they'll keep you at certain outside temps. Keep that in mind. You might want to pack some sort of mat or padding to put under your sleeping bag as well. Def pack pair of boots for hiking around, exploring and to be safer around the fire. Consider the surroundings. Is there a good amount of burnable dead fall? Will you have easy or tougher time finding kindling? Will you need to dig out and area for your fire? Shovels are always a great idea either way, as they are great tools when putting out your fire fully.
3. Clothing. What to take with you. Like a clothed camping trip, you're going to want to take enough clothes to keep warm if you need to. Same with a good pair socks so you don't get those nasty blisters from your boots. What I will usually pack clothing wise for my nude campouts is pretty simple. Climate appropriate clothes for one. Then as I am wandering around, hiking, orienteering, searching for wood for my fire, or even just sitting around the campsite, ill take a loose pair of shorts. Ones that can quickly be put on if you need to cover up are perfect. I've only had one occasion where I had an unexpected visitor and it was actually the forestry department. Threw on my shorts as I heard the truck approaching, had a quick conversation and they were gone the rest of the week. Other than that, a hat perhaps, maybe a fanny pack or small backpack to carry items like water and energizing snacks as you explore. Throw a shirt in you car as well. Just in case. There are always those JUST in CASE moments that always come up.
4. Now as far as the outdoor critters. Hmm. There is a lot of debate about bug sprays, etc. so my advice is you may have to experiment a bit. Some bug repellants can and will cause like a chemical burn on your "parts." Learned that the hard way! No pun intended lol. There are natural ones that only use herbs, oils from nature and they work pretty well with no harm to your body. As far as bears, coyotes and other critters, be informed before you go. Know what is out there in that area. Pack accordingly. I have had run ins with wild boars, Florida panthers, and man can I tell you quite a whopping tale about that! A whistle is not a bad thing to have with you. I know in Florida you are permitted to carry a firearm while camping even without a concealed carry license. DO NOT EVER leave your firearm behind in your campsite if you go off somewhere. Just not responsible or wise.
Being able to recognize some common animal tracks, scat and signs of habitat are just good things to learn no matter what type of camping you may do. A good sized knife is a must. Not the best for defense but I have seen them used pretty effectively.
5. Food. Depending on how remote your spot is, and likely it will be pretty darn primitive to get away with any nude camping, you're best to keep it simple. Definitely there are some things that you can cook, heat up and what not over a fire. You may not want a fire burning 24/7. Account for that. Whatever you pack in, pack out. Even in the fall as the weather is cooling down, it is essential to stay hydrated. As glorious as camping nude is, more of your body is exposed to the elements and you can more easily become dehydrated. Bummer I know. Water, propel, Powerade, those are great options. What ever bottles, food containers, wrappers you have left over after each meal, have a containment plan to stow them. Zip lock bags work great. Trash bags, eh, not my favorite because there is no way to trap the scent like a zippered plastic bag will do. Scent attracts the critters.
Beyond what I've spoken to above, follow a general camping checklist. Now, you do have the option and choice of taken others with you or to not. I have always done my nude camping trips alone. Not that I wouldn't want to share that experience with others or good friends, there just haven't been anyone I've known who would be down for the experience. Since you will be in a more off the beaten path location, if you can get a friend to go with you, man, by all means invite them! They don't have to be nude, and let them know that! Check your cell signal when you go scouting also. If there is not a cell signal, definitely let someone know where you will be as a precaution. The good thing about remote spots is that they are just that, remote. Often unvisited, unregulated. But, if you are by yourself, of course there is a risk factor. Oh, one last thing. This may not seem relevant but trust me it really is! Look to see where you can park your vehicle. Last thing you want to have to do, is run to your car or truck in your birthday suit should something go wrong, car get messed with or you need to escape to safety from bad storms or what not. If you can park relatively close, I'd say that's preferable. Where I often go, to the canyon, I have to park up on the hill. Campsite is down an embankment about a minute walk from the Jeep. The advantage though is, the long rough road coming down to where I park, is up above me. So even if someone got down there and parked, I'm able to hear, or see headlights coming in plenty of time to throw something on.
There is one more idea I'll pass along. Again this is not gospel, just my personal experience.
6. Locations. As you are scouting for potential places, national parks that are expansive are not a bad idea. The nudity laws in national parks and BLM lands is much more forgiving than in other areas. Not iron clad mind you, but you have some legal wiggle room. State parks can be okay choices as well. The farther from people and the normal areas you are the better your chances of an enjoyable, hassle free camping trip. Some hunting lands, those clubs you may belong to, personal friends lands, those make pretty good spots too. What I don't advise is, calling up your local state or national park and saying, "Hey I wanna come camp nude this coming weekend." Def don't do that. Not that anything YOU are doing is wrong, perverted or questionable, but most places we have access to are not yet fully legal areas for nude camping. Same goes with beaches. Hunting season is not the best time to go camping. The weather is much more conducive and welcoming, but hunters don't like persons in general up in their hunting areas. The few I've run into were not that keen on my, um, choices either.
Lastly, and just as a general reminder, here is a basic camping checklist. We all can forget certain things if we are not camping often.
ALWAYS PACK A FIRST AID KIT!!!!
Nude camping can be a wonderful experience. It's also family friendly. Many things we may want to go and do, aren't always family friendly. This one, oh it definitely is!
So start planning, scouting and doing your leg work. And go do some Nude Camping!!
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